The dim hospital lights had just flickered on to signal the start of a new day. Beside Craig's bed, Jenna was willing Craig to wake up. Her husband was still unconscious but she'd been told by the doctor in charge that it was medically induced so his body had a chance to recover. He'd lost a lot of blood. Alice had stayed with her for a couple of hours before the police gave her a lift back home and Jenna stayed at his bedside sleeping in the fold out chair.

For the first time in her life, she wanted a man to die. Richard Taylor. She felt anger whenever she thought about him. Craig had turned his life around, done everything he could to do so. He'd told her it'd been meeting Taylor which had decided him and now Jenna understood why. Despite all this, the asshole had still come after him and stabbed him, seeking retribution for old events which had taken place over 15 years ago.

Craig had met Taylor for the first time when he was 12. Due to being abandoned by his family and in a care home, he had been easily led. He'd started dealing drugs and ended up in a juvenile detention centre by the time he was 14. Upon his release he went on to commit more drug related offences until he was 18 and following another meeting with Taylor, had worked very hard to change his life around. Jenna had never asked him what'd happened during that last meeting and he'd never said. By the time he was 20, Craig was a different man. He'd met Jenna at a party when he was 21, and they'd married a year later. The romance between them had been instant. Jenna adored him. He never mentioned his past and nor did she. As far as Jenna was concerned, it was over, forgotten and he'd moved on.

Now this. She flashed on the look of anger and hatred on her father's face and understood it. She had a feeling that if Michael didn't kill Taylor, he would and this time Myers wouldn't stop him. Craig's neck was heavily bandaged and he would have a scar for life now. That was another thing which angered Jenna. So unnecessary, pointless. It hadn't had to happen, but some criminal thug had decided Craig owed him. "He owes me," Taylor had said. Craig had a drip attached to his right arm, and was still wearing an oxygen mask. She knew the doctors would be in to check on him soon and hopefully the mask would come off. The drip was replacing the vast amount of blood he'd lost. Nick had acted incredibly fast. Jade had told her via phone last night of the text she'd sent and Alice had told her in the hospital that she'd contacted Nick for medical help. How she'd asked him not to go personally. Jenna had smiled wanly. Like Nick would've listened to that and indeed hadn't.

Just then, she felt the hand on her shoulder. She looked up and managed a weak smile. It was Jade.

"Hi Jen," her sister sat in the seat opposite her. "How is he?"

"Still unconscious, but they're hoping to take out the drip and remove the oxygen mask today. He lost a lot of blood. Thank God Nick acted as fast as he did. He's working today but said he'd pop in at the end of his shift."

Jade nodded, looking sadly at Craig's motionless face. His eye lids were closed. "Mum and Dad had to head off back to work. Couldn't get leave. Not so soon after… You know. Jenna nodded, giving her sister a sympathetic look. "But I told them I'd call as soon as I knew anything or you would. Dad's well…" Jade smiled grimly. "Not happy. I think if he ever understood Michael it's now. He's a man on a mission. He wants to kill Taylor himself. Mum's worried about him. She hasn't said as much but I could see it in her face this morning. Dad's not been himself for a while before this," Jenna nodded. "But now… I think Nick's considering staying with them for a while to keep an eye on him."

"Where's Michael?"

"I'm not sure," Jade said quietly. "Probably… You know."

Jenna nodded again. "Killing people. How do you…" She said softly. "You know, deal with that?"

Her sister smiled humourlessly. "I don't. I just try not to think about it. You know I thought it would stop me loving him but it doesn't. I adore him and I can't change that, even if I could I wouldn't. Plus, right now we all want someone to die."

"Yeah," Jenna agreed. "But where's the line between wanting someone to die and making sure it actually happens? Your husband crosses that line easily."

"Indeed he does," Jade agreed. "But I can't answer your question of how I deal with it because to tell you the truth I don't even know myself Jen." The sisters looked at each other, a look which said a thousand words.

When the doctor entered about half an hour later, the drip was indeed removed, as was the oxygen mask.

"He'll wake up naturally Mrs. Ellis," Dr Gooding said. "His body is just sleeping to recover. He's not in a coma or anything like that. He's just resting. His breathing is just fine."

"How long are we looking at?" Jenna asked, blinking back her tears as best she could. Jade put an arm around her.

"That's impossible to say," the doctor said gently. "Could be today, could be in a week. But I promise you he will awake. It's not liked a coma where we can't say that for definite. In this situation we can."

Jenna tried to smile at him, but couldn't speak. "Thanks," Jade said, her voice choked. Gooding nodded and quietly left.

"Have you spoken to Michael about what you told Tara and I?" Jenna asked eventually.

"No," Jade sighed. "I can't. I don't know how. Am I afraid of him even now? Hardly surprising I know, but…"

"Jade," Jenna said gently. "You just need to tell him the truth. You're afraid he'll be captured again. Where's the problem there? I understand where you're coming from, but you really should do it. Surely even he's going to wonder what's wrong if you're constantly close to him etc, unable to let go. I'm surprised he hasn't already asked you to be honest."

Jade looked away. "He tried," she said softly. Jenna looked at her sharply. "Wait. What?"

"He asked me about a week ago," Jade said, not able to look at her sister. "Asked me if anything was wrong, or if I needed help. I, I lied."

"How?" Jenna asked, no judgement in her voice or expression.

"Told him I was just suffering after what happened to me and I just needed to be close to him. But already I'm regretting that. While it might be true to some degree, it's not the truth and it's still eating away at me, every time he leaves to kill… Not to mention I lied to Michael Myers…"

"Then you should tell him the truth babe," Jenna touched Jade's arm. "Honesty is key in a marriage, trust me, I know."

"What good would it do?" Jade looked away. "I can hardly say Michael I wish you'd stop killing people, can I?"

"Maybe," Jenna said softly. "It's the truth after all."

Jade actually laughed. "Come on Jen! He's Michael Myers the masked killer! Be serious here!"

"I am," Jenna said. "It's how you feel and you're his wife. If you can't say it no one can. Tell him you're afraid he'll be captured and you wish he could stop killing. How you want to be with him for the rest of your life without the fear you'll lose him again. Even if he faces prison, you'll still be able to see him a lot easier than in MSU."

"Nick considered the possibility one of the Lawson's betrayed us," Jade said quietly, changing the subject. She couldn't answer Jen right then as she didn't have a clue how to.

"Yeah, I think Dad considered that too. But that's…"

"We know they didn't now. Taylor told us as much. Watching us for months, he said. I only met them about 2 months ago. But I am going to call them later today and tell them what's happened. If I know Tara like I think I do, she's going to go crazy Julie even tried to talk to me. "I'm your mother?" What the fuck?"

"Any luck with the man hunt?"

"DC Abraham hasn't got back to me yet he said he'd call with any updates. But he mentioned needing another statement from me," Jade sighed. "What else can I tell them?"

As if on cue, there was a soft knock on the door and the two sisters looked at each other in shock as two people entered the private hospital room, following DC Neil Abraham, and a uniformed police officer. Jade looked at her sister and knew immediately what she was thinking as she glanced at the handcuffs on his stab vest, as he opened the door for the detective and the two others. If he knew who was standing beside him, he'd be using them.

Steve Henderson and Michael Myers. At the sight of her husband, Jade had to exercise everything not to stand up and kiss him right there, hugging him as tightly as she could. Sensing this, Jenna gave her a gentle shove. "Just do it!" She breathed.

But she didn't have to because the officer with Abraham pulled in 3 plastic chairs, and the DC sat beside Jenna, Steve in front of her and Michael at Jade's side, immediately pulling her close to him. Jade looked in to her husband's face and there was so much she wanted to say. Thank God Abraham was here or she'd probably just have blurted out the truth at her unconscious brother in law's bedside.

"Dad," Jade and Jenna said together, looking at their father. Adults they may be, but right now they were scared and it showed. Steve gave them a reassuring smile. They understood its silent meaning. It's ok girls, dad's here. Something even now they took comfort from.

"Took 2 more days off," Steve said. "Alice couldn't get them even though she explained why. Sons of bitches! My company were brilliant, told me to take as long as I needed. How is he?"

"Still unconscious," Jenna said quietly. "Doctor said he will wake up though. It's blood loss."

Steve nodded, looking sadly at Craig's face.

"Mrs. Ellis. I'm glad to hear your husband will be alright. Called at your house and encountered your father and Mr. Myers who told me they were leaving to come here, so followed them. I appreciate this may not be a good time Mrs. Myers, but I urgently need some more details from you. I also wanted to give you all an update. We still have not as yet tracked down Mr. Taylor," Steve tensed at the sound of the name, and Jenna squeezed his hand. "But he's well known to us as I'm sure you know with his extensive criminal history, so we know who our man is. We've got officers looking for him around the clock."

Unless Michael finds him first, Jenna thought. Catching Jade's eye, she saw the same thought on her sister's face, then on their father's.

"Mrs. Myers," Abraham's voice was gentle now. "I understand the woman who was with them last night is your birth mother. Is that correct?"

"Yes," Jade said quietly. "She tried to talk to me last night as if nothing had happened. As you'll see from my social services file, she left me at 10 with a letter."

"Did you know the deceased Eric Taylor?"

"Only until they left. I suppose he was as good as my step father, but I hadn't seen him in 20 years before last night."

"So, you wouldn't know anything about the relationship between them? Good, bad, etc?"

"Sorry DC Abraham, no. Best person for that would be Tara Lawson, my blood sister."

Abraham smiled gently. Jade knew without doubt now he was a good detective. Damn good investigator, but fair. "Officers are making contact with her now. Have you spoken to your blood sister today?"

"Not yet. I was planning to tell her what happened as soon as I could, but I'm guessing you guys will have already done so."

"Only because we had to."

Jade nodded. "I understand."

Right at that second Abraham's phone buzzed. He answered with a brisk, "Abraham?" Listened for a moment then hung up.

"Mr. and Mrs. Lawson are on their way," he said. "As are Mr. Lawson's other two brothers."

Jenna looked at Jade and could tell they were both feeling the same rush of affection. There was no way in hell the Lawson's would ever betray them. They'd die first, Jenna knew this now. As soon as they'd been told, they were in their cars instantly. Every one of them. Despite having jobs. They were truly family, just as Tara had once said. "It's in the family contract."

"If I know T like I think I do," Jade smiled a little. "She'll be furious with me that I didn't tell her last night."

"So she should!" Jenna gave her a half mocking, but half serious glare. "So would I!"

"I'll tell her all when we get out of here. Not sure how I'm going to explain this. Our mother's boyfriend's father knows my adoption sister's husband."

"That's not your problem," Jenna said gently.

"I agree," Abraham nodded. "I don't think you need to worry about that Mrs Myers."

There was a soft knock on the door. It was Gooding. He entered with a murmured apology and gently started to check Craig's temperature, blood pressure etc.

"How's he doing?" Abraham asked

"His temperature is coming down," Gooding replied. "Pressure is still slightly low, but that isn't anything to worry about considering he is unconscious at present."

"Glad to hear it," Abraham said. Jade believed he meant it.

"Mrs. Myers," Abraham continued. "Have you met Richard Taylor prior to last night?"

Jade shook her head. "I may have met him when I was a child before they left, but if so, I don't remember it."

"Good riddance," Jenna muttered. "He stabbed my husband." Jade privately agreed.

Shortly afterwards, Abraham took his leave. Jenna and Jade both looked at Michael and shared a smile. Michael leant close to Jade and kissed her.

"Well hi?"

The voice was soft, weak, but unmistakable. Jenna felt tears pour on to her cheeks. It was Craig. Jade also had a lump in her throat and hugged Michael tightly.

"Darling!" Jenna jumped to her feet and hugged her husband as gently as she could. He smiled weakly at her, as she softly kissed his mouth.

"Hey Craig!" Jade smiled at him too. "Welcome back!"

"How are you feeling?" Jenna asked.

"Tired," he grinned weakly. "Like I got a knife to the neck." He glanced up then. "Hi J, Dad, Michael. Nice to see you. Thanks for coming."

Michael stood, raising his pad to Craig.

Welcome back.

"Cheers," Craig smiled at the killer. "How did those cops not recognise you? That mask must really make a difference!"

"It does," Jade said. "He's gorgeous without it."

"Oh please," Craig rolled his eyes. "I feel sick enough already!"

Steve and Jenna chuckled. "Yeah," she said quietly. "With it, you're terrifying!"

"Well said!" Jade agreed.

Before long, the Lawson's arrived. Tara looked pale as she hugged Jade tightly close, then Jenna. Stuart, Lance and Dom shook the men's hands and also hugged both girls. Tara then placed a box of chocolates beside Craig's bed.

"Don't even start trying to say you're sorry," Jade glared at her blood sister. "You have nothing to apologise for. Those bastards were watching us for months."

"What…" Tara hesitated. "Was it like to see her again?"

Jade scoffed. "Maybe would've been ok if she hadn't tried to talk to me as if nothing had happened. I'm your mother, you do as I say!"

"Please tell me you're kidding?" Tara looked horrified.

"If only."

"Bitch," Dom, Stuart and Lance said in unison.

"What did the police tell you?" Steve asked.

"Just that Jade had met Julie and she'd said some rather… Unpleasant things," Tara said. "Also that Craig was stabbed by Eric's father. I'm so sorry! We were only told because they had to rule out that we…" She couldn't finish.

"No way in hell!" Jenna, Jade and Craig said together, the latter's voice weak.

"We'd understand if you thought it though," Tara said softly. "You meet us and within weeks your birth mothers on your doorstep. We don't blame you if you did, honest."

"It's not an issue," Steve said gently, hugging Tara close. "Because we know you didn't."

Craig gestured towards Michael, but was struggling to speak due to the drugs they'd given him to help him sleep. Steve immediately attracted their attention to it and everyone else left the room. The killer stepped to Craig's bedside, handing him the digital pad. Craig tried to sit up but Michael gently pushed him back. Craig raised the device and typed on the screen.

Michael, I can't thank you enough for protecting me the way you did last night. The doc said that lifting me on to the sofa may have saved my life, as I didn't lose as much blood as I may have otherwise. But I also have to say this. Richard Taylor scares me. Big time. Please, please be careful. Yourself, and… Please keep an eye on the girls? This guy's not messing around.

Michael gently took it and read the message, before looking back at Craig, their gaze locking.

Please don't say I fear no one I'm Michael Myers, Craig typed, giving the killer a weak grin. He felt Michael touch his arm lightly.

I was terrified he really was going to slit my throat last night. I told you I'd received those threats; he was one of those responsible. Michael I'm terrified of him. If he gets the chance, he will try again I'm telling you. He never lets things lie. He feels I owe him and I think that now means he wants me dead. When he had me at knife point, he said do as I tell you or you'll pay me with your life. Craig smiled humourlessly. Then he added, sad excuse for one that it is.

Michael read this and Craig was certain he could see softness in his brother in law's gaze as they looked at each other. Michael typed his answer.

Craig, it won't happen.

Thanks Michael. I appreciate that. But he's one of only 2 men who really scare me. Second is you.

Craig was sure the killer smiled at him then.

Don't be.

When you're masked and killing don't be? Bloody hell man!

But I'm not masked and killing you, am I?

True.

Nor will I be. You have nothing to fear from me.

Thanks. So tired, Craig typed then, slumping against the pillow. Shit Michael I'm exhausted…"

Then sleep. I'll tell them.

Craig just had a chance to see Michael's answer before his eyes closed. The last thing he heard was the door doing the same.